Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Landscape Restoration

The 8-week course is designed in 3 phases that move the participants from ideation towards the successful implementation of a new sustainable business model for landscape restoration with 4 returns: return of natural capital, return of social capital, return of inspiration and return of financial capital. This course was created by the ENABLE consortium: Commonland, United Nations University Land Restoration Training Programme, Spanish National Research Council CSIC, Nova School of Business & Economics, Rotterdam School of Management, and Erasmus University.
Building on our ENABLE’s first MOOC "A Business Approach to Sustainable Landscape Restoration" (https://www.coursera.org/learn/landscape-restoration-sustainable-development/home/welcome), this second MOOC focuses on the potential for a positive role of business model innovation for landscape restoration, highlighting the following elements:
- Vision Formulation
- Systems Analysis
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Opportunity Analysis
- Business Model Design
- Solution Validation
- Assessment & Monitoring
- Reflection & Iteration
This new course furthermore takes a partnership approach to take on the challenge of large-scale landscape restoration, reflecting the interconnectedness of ecology, society and economy in landscape management.
Interdisciplinary teams are needed to find and implement solutions to the wicked problem of landscape degradation, which is why this MOOC is designed to work preferably with a team. If it suits your circumstances best, you can certainly also work individually.
We have included three real-life cases of existing landscape restoration projects. For each step of the innovation process, we zoom in on those landscapes to show you how the theory looks in practice.
A case about the Hekluskógar woodlands restoration project, an ambitious large-scale restoration project in Iceland to restore the provision of valuable ecosystem services and increase resilience to natural disasters like tephra deposition from volcanic eruptions; a case about diversification of land use and cropping systems in Spain to prevent land degradation and help restoring already degraded land; and a case about the disastrous effects of forest fires in Portugal.
Additionally, MOOC participants are provided with other examples around the globe and numerous resources, such as reports, videos and platforms revolving around the business rationale for sustainable land management and business model innovation for landscape restoration.

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Flexible deadlines

Flexible deadlines

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Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Hours to complete

Approx. 22 hours to complete

Suggested: 8 weeks of study, 4 to 8 hours per week ...

Available languages

English

Subtitles: English

100% online

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Hours to complete

Approx. 22 hours to complete

Suggested: 8 weeks of study, 4 to 8 hours per week ...

Available languages

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

1

Hours to complete

6 hours to complete

Vision Formulation

We are in phase 1 of the sustainable business model innovation process. Week 1 introduces you to the problem of landscape degradation and the process of landscape restoration. You will also learn about the role of business models in landscape restoration and how important visions are for sustainable business model innovation. We will introduce you to our 3 practical example cases of landscape restoration. Each of these cases has encountered different problems related to landscape degradation and formulated innovative solutions by using the approach set out in this MOOC: the power of sustainable business models to successfully restore natural environments....

Systems Analysis

Week 2 is all about systems thinking. In our practical example cases you will see how diversified crop systems can help in Spain, and how birch woodlands can improve the resilience of the system. You will learn how to conduct a systems analysis for your chosen landscape degradation challenge. ...

Co-Creation and Opportunity Analysis

In week 4 we enter the second phase of the sustainable business model innovation process - designing. In this phase we move from forming an understanding of the problem and what means we have available, to generating ideas for new business model solutions. In week 4, the focus is on co-innovation networks and captured and destroyed value. ...

Department of Business-Society Management, Rotterdam School of Management

About Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University: a top-100 ranked international research university based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Our academic teaching and research focuses on four areas: health, wealth, culture and governance.
Erasmus University Rotterdam: make it happen. ...

Frequently Asked Questions

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When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.

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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.